Bolton Borough Council

Care leavers receive priority for social housing

Priority is offered up to the age of: 25

Banding priority is: Priority

Additional information / how to qualify:
The young person’s LCT worker or supported accommodation provider will make an application for priority status with Housing options when they have demonstrated their ability to have their own tenancy.

Care leavers do not get to practice independent living with taster flats

Bolton Borough Council will not in principle assist as a guarantor for care leavers in private rented property

Bolton Borough Council in principle will assist with providing a deposit for care leavers in private rented property

Details:
This would make use of setting up home grant to fund this where appropriate.

Care leavers are provided with a setting up allowance

Allowance amount: ££2000

Bolton Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year TV licence for care leavers

Bolton Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay at least the first year home contents insurance for care leavers

Bolton Borough Council in principle will assist with support to pay for redecoration costs of a care leavers first flat

Bolton Borough Council in principle will assist with support with broadband costs for care leavers

Bolton Borough Council will not in principle assist with support with mobile phone costs for care leavers

Bolton Borough Council will pay towards cooking equipment for care leavers

Bolton Borough Council offers work experience within the council for care leavers

Number of places per year: We currently provide fixed term paid work experience placements. Dependent upon referrals

Bolton Borough Council will pay for work/interview clothes

Bolton Borough Council will pay towards travel to work or training

There are ringfenced apprenticeship vacancies for care leavers at Bolton Borough Council

Apprenticeships offered to care leavers before external advertisement. apprenticeship vacancies are ringfenced a year

We are unable to confirm if there are care leavers working as apprenticeships within Bolton Borough Council

Bolton Borough Council will ensure each young person has ID documents when they leave care

Passport: Yes

Provisional Driving Licence: Yes

Birth Certificate: Yes

Bolton Borough Council will not in principle assist with driving lessons

Bolton Borough Council will not in principle assist with driving theory tests

Bolton Borough Council will not in principle assist with driving tests

Bolton Borough Council will not in principle assist with CBT tests

Partners local to Bolton Borough Council offer support with free travel for care leavers

Bus: Yes

Train / Tram: No

Additional details:
GM free bus travel.

Care leavers have the opportunity to meet with their corporate parents (councillors)

Care leavers do not have the opportunity for mentoring with any of the senior leadership team

Bolton Borough Council has a children in care and care leavers council

Details of council:
There is the Voice 4 U and Next Step Care leavers Group.

Voice4U approx. 10   Next Step- ranges between 4 and 8.

Children in care and care leavers council has its own bank account

Children in care and care leavers council has its own constitution

Details:
YES for Voice 4 U, No for Next Step.

Bolton Borough Council does not have peer mentors (other care leavers)

Bolton Borough Council has other mentoring schemes

Details:
Bolton Lads and Girls club

Young people do not have to go through the complaints dept to access their care files

Young people who access their care files get emotional support before, during and after disclosure

Details:
Support would be provided by their Leaving Care Worker.